Ireland’s capital, Dublin, is a city bursting with culture and things to experience. From tours of the Guinness Storehouse, the crypt at St Patrick’s Cathedral, and Dublin Castle, to strolls around Phoenix Park and St. Stephen’s Green, the capital is brimming with activities to keep you busy.
If you are planning to visit the Irish capital, then there are a few things you can check off your bucket list while you are there. Upon arrival at Dublin airport, we’d recommend using www.viptaxis.ie. You can book in advance, online or use their mobile app. It’s definitely the best cost-effective way to get to the city center, especially if you have to go to a specific location, and you have luggage.
Once you’ve arrived in Dublin, check out our list of the 10 must-do experiences for Dublin. How many have you done and which one do you want to try?
Take a treat to Stephen’s Green
This is a paradise escape in the middle of Dublin and within its Victorian layout boasts many species of birds and plants, a park and a large number of important sculptural monuments paying homage to four centuries of history. One of the best things to do is to stretch out on the grass and just rest or grab lunch as the locals do. Perfect for picnics and filled with spring blossom during the earlier months of the year, St Stephen’s Green is surrounded by museums and is home to plenty of beautiful plants.
Travel through time at Trinity College
Trinity College is a university founded by Elizabeth I in the 16th-century. Today, the seat of learning is home to some of the most beautiful architecture in Dublin, as well as one of the most important medieval written works in the world, the Book of Kells. Eventually, you can come back to a more modern time with the Science Gallery, where art meets science, exhibitions there are brain-bending.
Visit Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle is one of those places which you literally can’t miss (it’s just that enormous!) Visible from almost any corner of the city, those who are familiar with the rolling green hills of the Emerald Isle will likely already know that the land is home to countless castles. Visiting Dublin Castle is one of the best ways to learn about Dublin history as you will get to relive the 800 years’ Irish memories and some of the most iconic events that happened in the country’s history. The castle is home to many rooms, gardens, and museums like Chester Beatty Library, Chapel Royal, Revenue museum, and Garda museum.
Tour the Guinness Storehouse
No trip to Dublin would be complete without a trip to Ireland’s most popular attraction in the heart of the St James’s Gate Brewery. You will be amazed at the interior of the factory looks like a pint of Guinness and it is regarded as the largest pint in the world. The tour of this factory features seven floors of Irish brewing history and you will get to learn about the Guinness family and how the beer was made. The highlight of this factory is the gravity bar on the 7th floor where you will get a 360-degree of Dublin skyline while enjoying a pint of Guinness.
See the Little Museum of Dublin
The Little Museum of Dublin is one of the museums that you have to see, it makes a big impression with small things from the first edition of Ulysses to a statue of Bono. Downstairs there is an exhibition that changes seasonally and a tour about women’s history in Ireland each Thursday.
Have a picnic at Phoenix Park
It is the largest enclosed city park in Europe, covering up to 1,700 acres. Visiting Phoenix park is among the top things to do in while in Dublin. Families can easily spend a full day here. Some of the highlights of this park are the sports field, Dublin zoo, Wellington monument and it today it’s home to the President – who lives in Aras An Uachtarain – as well as the base for An Garda Siochana HQ and Dublin Zoo.
Visit Dublin Zoo
The zoo is found within the Phoenix Park and it’s a must visit place while in the park. There are around 400 animals from almost 100 different species living in the zoo that you can see here and there is a very well laid-out map to guide you while you are here. Coming here is suitable for every age group and encounter with the animals in this zoo is very close to the real thing as they are well cared for and they are kept in spacious habitats.
Shop till you drop in Powerscourt Centre
The Powerscourt Centre is a gorgeous Georgian shopping center with a magnificent atrium. It is a treasure trove of luxury and with more than 40 shops and restaurants, there’s something for everyone. For a perfect day eat a homemade bagel or sambo at the Pepper Pot Café.
Party like a local at the Temple Bar
Temple Bar is not only the name of an iconic pub in the heart of Dublin but also of a busy district which is popular with tourists and locals alike. The bar is at the heart of the city and it is a huge part of Dublin’s central nightlife scene. This is the best place to come if you are looking for a strong Irish whiskey and have fun and have a blast.
Take a boat cruise on the Liffey
Sail through the heart of historic Dublin from the vantage point of the River Liffey, just like the Vikings did more than 1,000 years ago. This 45-minute boat tour begins and ends at the Dublin Discovered mooring at Bachelor’s Walk, close to both Trinity College and the Guinness Storehouse.
If you are lucky to visit Dublin, remember there are many attractions and iconic landmarks that are waiting for you to explore them!
